nav

flash banner

connect

February 3, 2010

When you look at this photo, I am sure you see a rustic looking vase with a few Roses in it.........

When I look at this picture, I see so much more.......

To me, roses will always signify more than just a pretty flower.

They signify someone who was very special.........her name was "Rose"

Two weeks ago, after my tulipsbegan to look lifeless, I decided to pick up a bunch of variegated roses to fill the empty vase that sat on my kitchen table.

They were so pretty....and everytime I walked through the kitchen, I couldn't help but smile. They brightened the room and my day and seemed to be a constant reminder of the most beautiful "Rose"...........

There are so many wonderful memories of her swirling around in my head and I never want to forget them.

I loved to spend time with her and being at her house was always such a treat......family dinners and holidays were the best. Her cooking couldn't be beat. I don't think she ever served a bad meal and you never left her house feeling anything less than full.

Most of the Italian recipes that I have shared here, were recipes that she had learned from her mother and they have been passed down generation to generation.

When I was in high school, I spent an afternoon with her in the kitchen, where she taught me the basics. It was the first time I was let in on the family secrets and it is a day I remember, as if it were yesterday. I would like to believe that she was a big part of the reason I have such a passion for food and cooking......but I think all of her children and grandchildren share that passion. It is the Sicilian way..........everything revoloves around family, fantastic food, and really great wine.

My grandma also loved to shop and was always dressed from head to toe....... In addition to introducing us to her love of food and how to cook, she also taught us how to shop. I am almost certain that the women in this family got their love of jewelry, designer shoes, and handbags from her.....

In October of 2000, my Grandma lost her battle with Cancer. It was tough to see her go. I had just received my new lease on life as I was told that my cancer was in remission only one month before she was diagnosed with her inoperable cancer. It seemed so unfair to me. I won my battle.......and yet, she did not have a fighting chance.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her at least once and wish that she were here to see her entire family.....and all the blessings we have received since she left us. I would even like to believe that she had a little hand in some of those blessings.........

As I look through old boxes of photos, I wish that I would have taken more pictures of her in her final years.....the way I knew and remembered her. I do have a few cherished photos...like her beautiful wedding picture, but I don't have many.

I looked at my vase full of roses on the kitchen table and decided to grab the three prettiest roses of the bunch and then I arranged them in a barilla pasta jar so that "Rose" could hold a place of honor on the wall of black and whites in our house.

At first I thought the "Barilla" jar was kind of clever.......but on second thought she probably wouldn't be thrilled to know that I actually brought a jarred sauce into the house. Sorry Grammy......when you work, you need to be prepared for those nights when you are running short on time:)

I took a different direction this week and chose to do a Black and White with a selective color.......my grandma was one of the most colorful people I knew..... so I thought you would let me slide with just a hint of "ROSE" in this picture!

It is week 4 and I think you know the drill.....

Leave me a link and/or comment so we can all stop by to check out the beautiful black and white you have chosen for this week:)

79 comments:

You've got me a bit weepy here. What a beautiful testiment to a wonderful lady. The way you describe her - I'd say she shared a lot of her traits with you. She sounds like a treasure. (I only wish you would have posted the old wedding picture of her....I was hoping.)

The roses are breathtaking - my favorite shade of pale pink. I think on a wall of all black and white - this will be the perfect centerpiece. So lovely.

If you click the word "my grandmother" in bold print, it will take you back to an older post where I had shown her wedding photo. It is a picture of her picture......not the best quality, but you can see how beautiful she was.

Now I can truly understand why I feel like we've known each other for many years. I too had a similar relationship with my Sicilian grandmother. She was an integral part of my life. I am so thankful for the way she raised her family. She passed on such strong family values that I feel are missing from today's society. I too was blessed beyond belief to have had such a wonderful person in my life. Thank you for sharing such a touching story.

Sorry for the cheat on my blog... my hubby took the pictures I posted today. I couldn't resist. ;-)

what a beautiful post! brought back so many memories of my own grandmother. she died in 2004 from undiagnosed celiac disease. it's so wonderful to have such great memories with them, isn't it? the thing that i think about most is that i wish she could see my baby girl. (i'm sure you feel the same way about sarah and your china baby!) i guess one day, she will!

Oh Lisa ~ What a beautiful post about your Grandmother...I know exactly how you feel about her...because I feel the same way about my Grandma too...

Your memory of her is truly alive & well living within today. No one (not even cancer) can take that away from you. As I sit here this morning typing this (while tears are flowing), I so understand what you mean about your Grandmother never being able to meet sweet Sarah but I truly believe she has and that she is watching over her, Nick, Pat & YOU every single day...

I know this post was probably a little hard for you to do ~ but I must admit ~ I am happy that you did...for it has me taking a little time during this busy morning to remember some wonderful moments with my grandmother as well...

Such a beautiful photo and a lovely story about your grandmother. She sounds like such a special lady, and one that has left her mark on your life in so many ways. I think you needed to add a splash of color for her. So beautiful, Lisa.

A very beautiful post and tribute to your Grandma. She would be incredibly proud of you. I lost my special Gram in 04 and she holds a big piece of my heart too that's full of so much love and special memories.

I think the jar is perfect and I am sure she understands...but then again... Talk about working woman WE have it easy these days with dishwashers, washing machines and convince foods. Our Grandmother's were the working woman...Let's not tell her about the jar...maybe she won't notice.

I think the tint is amazing! It will be beautiful on your wall.

Also, I just reliazed I forgot to link my post to yours...Whoops! I must do that right away!

What a sweet post and tribute to your Grandmother. As soon as I saw the roses and started to read, I knew it had to be about her! Sweet memories! I'm sure she's watching over all of you. Have a great B&W Wednesday!Janet

What a beautiful tribute! Grandmothers (and grandfathers) are so special, they truly are. Your description of yours brought a lump to my throat! I like that bit about family, fantastic food, and really good wine ... I think my family must have some Sicilian in us, because that's pretty much our motto for all our family get-togethers!

How coincidental is it that I posted a photo of my grandmother today before even looking at yours? Although her name was not Rose, roses do hold a special place in my heart regarding my grandma. She always had the most beautiful roses running up the trellis on her front porch. Thank your for sharing and hosting!

What a beautiful tribute to your Grandmother, Lisa. She sounds like a true lady, and a special and wonderful person. She lives on in you and your children. I'm quite confident she smiling down from heaven and is very proud of you!!!

Gorgeous image and so befitting of your Rose!

Happy black and white Wednesday! I love that you started this my friend.

Lisa, I just love this so much. I love that your grammy's name was Rose, I love how you put the roses in a Barilla jar, I love how you added the color. This is such a creative and beautiful post. I miss my grandmas more and more everyday so I can really relate. Yours sounded like a wonderfully sweet woman, she would be SO proud of you!Happy Wednesday and thanks again for inspiring this, I'm having so much fun!lucy

What a super sweet tribute to your beautiful grandmother! I lost my grandmother just two years ago & I have been pleasantly surprised at how sweet memories will come back with just the smell or sight of something that she loved. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post!

What can I say that hasn't been said. When I first saw this image, I cried at the significance. I really did. My grandmother, Anna, was so much like your Rose. She was my very best friend and to this day I think of her every day. She passed only a month after your grandmother...I didn't realize that until now.I too, spent hours in the kitchen with my Nana trying to figure out what a pinch of this and a scoop of that translated to in real measurement. She used to tell me you have to "go by eye". I can still hear her laughing and see her sweet face. I know you have the same memories of your beautiful Rose.

I think this is just such an amazing image for your wall and I can't wait to see it hanging there amongst your most precious family.

xooxxoDita

PS....my grandmother would have KILLED me if she knew I, too, sometimes cheat with Barilla (which is my favorite cheating brand when I just can't find the time to put a sauce together from scratch...yep, confession from a working mom)

Lisa, another beautiful post, another lovely photo.I love the way Italians are so steadfast in their love of good food, and haven't swayed to any of the fads that come and go, so their time-honoured recipes and appreciation of good, fresh ingredients can be handed down from one generation to the next. I'm glad that you are the beneficiary of that great tradition.This post reminds me so much of my Mum- never served a bad meal, loved to cook, showed me the family secrets, loved to shop, loved jewellery and shoes.What makes me sad is the same thing that makes you sad- not enough photos of her, and she died too young (only 65, heart attack).Lol at the "jarred sauce"- I can identify with the pressures of a working Mum!

What a beautiful tribute to your grandmother! Sounds like she was one very, very special lady...treasure those memories!! (Beautiful photo, too!)And I'm sure you are passing those wonderful memories down to your children.

What a sweet and tender post...makes me weepy. Your Grandma Rose sounds like she was full of love and life and I see you take after her! What a lovely tribute. I know she is proud of you, Lisa!Maybe I can get a pic in before the night's over. I want to participate, I am just so busy and Wednesday rolls around so quickly :)

Oh my gosh - I loved hearing about your Grandmother! I loved hearing about the women who shaped this generation - Rose sounds like she was an amazing influence on your life! I love the picture & the meaning it has to you!

Lisa, you've already gotten 68 comments on this post so anything I could tell you has already been said...but this was so beautiful. Bless you for such a sweet tribute. My dad always says that life isn't about money or stuff or jobs but about making memories with the people you love. You've certainly got some wonderful ones with your grandmother. Love ya friend~

I love your memories of your Grandma Lisa....I share such fond memories of mine too! I had to laugh at the Barilla pasta jar.....knowing what your Italian Grandma would be thinking! Hope you have a great weekend!

This is a beautiful tribute to your grandmother and a beautiful picture. I lost my grandmother a little over a year ago and miss her dearly. She is so special and I will miss her everyday for the rest of my life.

Your picture is fabulous! I love roses. My moms middle name is Rose and it would be a beautiful name for a daughter! I am new this week and found you from And Emma Makes 5. Great idea! Thanks for inspiring me.